A Short History of the Early Fountains

A Short History of the Early Fountains The water from rivers and other sources was initially delivered to the occupants of nearby communities and cities through water fountains, whose design was largely practical, not artistic. In the years before electricity, the spray of fountains was powered by gravity only, usually using an aqueduct or water supply located far away in the nearby hills. Fountains throughout history have been crafted as monuments, impressing hometown citizens and tourists alike. If you saw the first fountains, you probably would not recognize them as fountains. Designed for drinking water and ceremonial reasons, the 1st fountains were simple carved stone basins. Stone basins are believed to have been 1st used around 2000 BC. The spray of water emerging from small spouts was forced by gravity, the only power source creators had in those days. Drinking water was delivered by public fountains, long before fountains became elaborate public statues, as beautiful as they are functional. The people of Rome began constructing decorative fountains in 6 BC, most of which were metallic or stone masks of creatures and mythological representations. The impressive aqueducts of Rome furnished water to the eye-catching public fountains, most of which you can visit today.

Acqua Vergine: The Solution to Rome's Water Problems

Acqua Vergine: The Solution to Rome's Water Problems Previous to 273, when the first elevated aqueduct, Aqua Anio Vetus, was built in Roma, residents who resided on hillsides had to go even further down to get their water from natural sources. During this time period, there were only 2 other innovations capable of providing water to higher areas, subterranean wells and cisterns, which amassed rainwater. To furnish water to Pincian Hill in the early 16th century, they employed the brand-new tactic of redirecting the movement from the Acqua Vergine aqueduct’s underground channel. As originally constructed, the aqueduct was provided along the length of its channel with pozzi (manholes) constructed at regular intervals. During the some 9 years he owned the residential property, from 1543 to 1552, Cardinal Marcello Crescenzi made use of these manholes to take water from the network in buckets, though they were actually designed for the objective of cleaning and maintaining the aqueduct. Although the cardinal also had a cistern to accumulate rainwater, it couldn't provide enough water. That is when he decided to create an access point to the aqueduct that ran directly below his residence.